The message emphasizes the importance of adhering strictly to the original gospel of Jesus Christ, warning against alterations that can undermine its power and truth. It highlights the serious consequences of preaching a different gospel and illustrates this with practical examples and biblical references.
Dangers of false gospels: Contemporary examples like the prosperity gospel and gospel of works are criticized for distorting faith by focusing on material gain or human effort rather than God’s grace.
A Straightforward Warning for Everyday Believers
Gospel as life-saving medicine: The gospel is compared to a powerful medicine that cures spiritual sickness; altering it diminishes its effectiveness or can cause harm.
Core gospel message:
The gospel centers on Jesus Christ’s life, death, and resurrection, offering salvation as an unearned gift to those who trust in Him.
Paul’s strong warning: Apostle Paul condemns any deviation from the true gospel as a grave error, even pronouncing a curse on those who preach a different message.
Imagine you’re given a life-saving medicine, pure and effective—the only thing that can heal you. But what if someone changed just one ingredient, or watered it down, or added something that didn’t belong? Suddenly, what was once powerful and healing could become useless or even harmful. This is how the Bible describes the message of Jesus—the gospel—and why it’s so important not to change it.
Why Changing the Gospel Is Dangerous
The gospel—the good news about Jesus dying for our sins and rising again so we can have new life—is the heart of Christianity. In fact, it’s so important that the Apostle Paul, one of the first Christian leaders, wrote strong warnings to people who were changing or twisting that message.
In his letter to the Galatians (Galatians 1:6-9), Paul is shocked and disappointed. He says, “I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you by the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel.” In simple terms, Paul is saying: “I can’t believe you’re giving up on what you were taught! There’s only one true message, and you’re walking away from it.”
Paul makes it clear: there’s only one real gospel. If someone tweaks or adds to it, it’s not just a harmless mistake—it’s a serious problem. Why? Because even a little change can ruin the whole message.
Back in Paul’s day, some people were adding their own rules or traditions, saying you had to do extra things to be saved. Paul warns that even if an angel from heaven brought a different message, we shouldn’t believe it! That’s how serious he was about protecting the gospel’s truth.
False Gospels: They Can Look Good, But They’re Not
In 2 Corinthians 11:14, Paul gives another warning: “Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light.” In other words, lies and half-truths often show up looking attractive and even spiritual.
Today, there are still many ways the gospel gets twisted:
· Prosperity Gospel: This teaching says if you have enough faith, God will make you rich and healthy. It turns Christianity into a way to get stuff, rather than about following Jesus and receiving His grace. (i.e., While God wants you to prosper and be in good health, the emphasis becomes on getting wealth instead of growing in Christ.)
· Gospel of Works: Some say you must earn your way to heaven by being good enough. But the Bible says salvation is a gift—we can’t earn it.
· Relativism: This idea says, “You can believe whatever you want, as long as it feels right to you.” But truth isn’t changeable or up for a vote; the gospel is a solid foundation, not shifting sand.
These “gospels” might sound appealing, but they miss the heart of what Jesus really did for us. They usually take the focus off Jesus and put it on money, good behavior, or personal feelings.
How to Protect Yourself from a Different Gospel
You don’t need to be a Bible scholar to guard your faith, but you do need to be alert. Here are some simple ways to make sure you’re not being led astray:
· Know the Real Gospel: Read the Bible for yourself. Get familiar with what it really says about Jesus, grace, and salvation. The more you know the real thing, the easier it is to spot a fake.
· Check Everything You Hear: Don’t just believe something because a preacher or a friend says it. Compare what you hear with what the Bible actually teaches, like the Bereans did in Acts 17:11. It’s okay to ask questions!
· Remember It’s All by Grace: Jesus’s message is about what He has done for us, not what we can do for Him. If someone tries to add extra steps, rules, or requirements for being loved by God, be cautious.
· Ask for God’s Help: Pray for wisdom and for the Holy Spirit to help you find and stick to the truth. God promises to guide those who seek Him honestly.
Conclusion: Hold Fast to the Good News
Paul’s message is just as urgent today as it was two thousand years ago: don’t let anyone—no matter how impressive or persuasive—pull you away from the simple, life-changing truth about Jesus. There are plenty of voices out there, but only one true gospel.
So, hold tight to what the Bible says. If someone preaches a message that doesn’t match up, no matter how nice it sounds, don’t be fooled. The good news of Jesus is a treasure—pure, powerful, and able to save. Let’s keep it that way, for ourselves and for others.
Amen.
Minister A Francine Green
July 2025
afrancinegreen.com 